Retired US military man found dead in Ermita hotel

MANILA, Philippines-A retired US military serviceman was found dead in his hotel room in Ermita, Manila, on Sunday morning.

Police identified the body to be that of William Machett, 59, of Washington, DC. The cause of death was still unknown as of Sunday.

Machett’s body had no visible injuries when found by hotel security at around 7 a.m. inside his room at Ralph Anthony Suite Hotel, where he checked in and paid P14,000 for a 10-day stay on Monday, May 14.

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Security guard Reden Acero said Machett was seen having dinner in his room and watching television on Saturday night.

Repeated phone calls to his room on Sunday morning went unanswered, prompting the hotel staff to check on him, he said.

Machett was rushed to Manila Doctors Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Homicide investigator Police Officer 3 Amelito Lopez said Machett’s room was orderly and showed no signs of a commotion or foul play.

US Consul Dustin Bradshaw, who confirmed Machett’s background as a retired US military serviceman, later went to the hotel room also to investigate, Lopez said.—Jaymee T. Gamil

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